Parents Have More Influence On Extracurricular Activity Choices Of College Students Essay

Seniors have a tendency of taking their last year of high school for granted. They do not realize that the relaxed classes and fun filled weekends with their best friends will all soon come to a devastating end. They have applied for college, bought miniature refrigerators, and sent in their housing applications, but none of them have really thought about college in the way that they should. When asked about college most high school seniors image the huge parties, attractive people, and freedom; however, college is much more than that and, in a way, much less. College and high school are completely different when it comes to a student’s actual lifestyle, but they have many of the same traits that most high school seniors do not see coming.

During early childhood development a key factor that influences our aspects of behavior is the type of parenting styles our parents used. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of parenting styles and college students academic achievement. Also to find out if parenting style would a valid predictor of children’s success. Thus, three types of parenting styles were measured those being authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. These parenting styles were identified by using four dimension of parenting as identified by the college students, disciplinary strategies, warmth and nurturance, communication styles, and expectation of maturity and control. Academic success was measure using grade point average (GPA) of the college students. Analysis revealed that only authoritative parenting style had a correlation with students and high GPA. (Huey, Sayler, and Rinn, 2013)

Today, young people live in an environment in which many judge beauty on a superficial level, overspending budget margins for college or the student cannot afford to go to college at that year. Others such as social influences of the classroom, outside of the classroom, parents and teachers can have a profound effect on the college student too. These influences often meet with the students at multiple points in their lives. It depends on the student if they ignore, embrace or follow these influences that comes to pass. Is it expected to do as the others do? The real question is if all of these specific influences and individuals alter our lives for better or worse.

For example one family may allow their child more freedom and let them play outside in the street whereas another would keep the child in the confines of the garden only. This is also true in the case of an older child for instance a teenager. One may be allowed the independence and freedom of coming in late and another is not. All these decisions made by parents and carers can affect their child’s development.

If a researcher wants to determine if a student who participated in extra-curricular activities in high school will have higher grades in college than a student who didn’t, they could see the cause and effect that extra-curricular activities has on a student’s college studies.

Since Early College High School was founded in the year 2006, the school and its students have always been at disadvantage. The school has lacked several opportunities such sports, scholarship opportunities, etc. However, a topic that has been the spotlight of discussion amongst students over the course of eleven years has been the lack of extracurricular activities. This problem does not only affect students, but it rather affects faculty members as well. Although there has been a slow but gradual increase in solving this problem, this change has come forth at a lengthy rate. It has been 11 years since change has been prompted, and although the current students are benefiting from this change, there have been several generations of

Atkinson, J. (2014, May 4). How parents are ruining youth sports - The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 26, 2014, from http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2014/05/03/how-parents-are-ruining-youth-sports/vbRln8qYXkrrNFJcsuvNyM/story.html

The shift from high school to college involves a change in identity from a simple high school student to a professional college undergraduate. According to Stephen et al (2012) the school system focuses on “independent” variables, while first generation students need a more “interdependent” environment to thrive. These two variables will be explained in more depth further in the paper. Also, other research articles found that first-generation college student (FGCS) cannot benefit from their parents’ experiences in preparing for and applying to college (Sanez et al, 2007). As a result, FGCS are less exposed to the support and other contributing aspects that provide preparation to their peers, continuing-generation student (CGS), as they go through college (Mehta et al, 2011).

H2: The first question that was examined was the average GPA of students. What was shown was more students that were in activities had a higher GPA than those who were not in activities. 43% of students that were in an activity had a GPA average 3.67-4.0, with the next highest average having a GPA of 3.1-3.66. Those not in activities had 43% of their average GPA as 2.0-2.66 with the second highest average GPA with 3.1-3.66. This question was significant to the research because it shows that those in extracurriculars have a higher GPA, or academic success, than those who are not in them. This question proves the hypothesis.

To determine if parental involvement has a significant influence on first generation college students, the materials in the experiment are writing utensils, The Multidimensional Social Support Scale from (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet and Farley 1988) measures if students have a social support system. This instrument also shows how often students support system is involved in students’ academics. I created a student-parent survey to explore student influences and personal views of their college education. The Student Parent Involvement Survey also measures student’s financial and emotional support questions to give insight about their families while attending college. For demographic purposes, the CIRP Freshman survey (2015) was used to retrieve information

kids to settle on more beneficial decisions is basic in the event that we need them to be

Parental involvement in education is a vital essential for creating a cooperative environment for the student to thrive and succeed in. When a student knows that he or she is receiving support both inside and outside the school, the chances of that child becoming responsible for and active in their education are more likely. I know that there can be difficulties including parents for many reasons. Such parents may be too busy, uninterested or just feel helpless. However, as an educator, I will still have an obligation to reach out to these parents and assist them.

It is important for adolescents to participate in extracurricular activities. Student who participate in these activities improve their academic scores and social life. Extracurricular activities can also help reduce many peer pressure related problems. “They enrich the lives of the students, their families and our communities. These activities create well rounded children who learn what their interests and talents are because they have been exposed to such opportunities” (Extracurricular Activities, Blogadmin). For most adolescents extracurricular activities should be required among what they do outside of school.

Kikimo Fujita “The Effects of Extracurricular Activities on the Academic Performance of Junior High School Students”

Parent Involvement has been an issue in the United States since before the turn of the